LGS 232 - Construction Law

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Learn current legal principles and practices related to the construction industry and AIA and federal government documents. Learn the legal vocabulary, laws and legal processes applicable to and necessary for work in construction litigation, construction management, architecture, and engineering fields. Understand construction law through analysis of current construction court cases. Discuss sources of law; project delivery systems; mechanics’ liens; contract formation and breach; mediation and arbitration; changes, additions, delays, scope of work; surety bonds; insurance; and green building laws.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A .

Note: This course is not considered a legal specialty course for the purpose of earning legal specialty credits in the Paralegal Studies program. However, it may be applied as a general elective in the Paralegal Studies program as noted in the program description. Please consult with an advisor before registering for this course.

Course Outcomes:

Identify the branches of government and sources of law.
- Define the three branches of government
- Explain the powers of the federal government and state governments.
- Define the sources of law, including statutes, regulations, case law.
- Explain the classifications of criminal law and civil law
Explain Project Delivery Systems and Forms of Doing Business
- Explain and apply traditional design bid build
- Explain and apply traditional design bid build
- Identify critical aspects of construction management
- Identify various forms of doing business
Interpret construction contracts (per AIA and federal government documents)
- Identify elements of contract formation
- Identify breach (including contract mistakes, modifications, unforeseen building conditions)
- Explain remedies for breach of contract
- Identify various warranties
Explain scope of construction contracts
- Identify parameters and scope of construction contracts
- Explain contract changes, including additions and deletions
- Explain delay, impact and inefficiency claims
- Identify legal issues related to plans and specifications
Explain scope of construction contracts
- Identify legal issues related to plans and specifications
- Explain mechanics’ liens
- Interpret insurance contracts and clauses, including general, liability, property, professional
- Describe torts related to construction industry
Identify forms of resolving complaints
- Explain stages in the litigation process
- Explore parameters of negotiation
- Explain mediation process
- Explain arbitration process
Explain environmental rights and Green building laws
- Define environmental vocabulary
- Identify environmental agencies and parameters
- Describe environmental laws
- Describe Green building laws and impact